Disconnecting switch



Feb. 16, 1932. H. .1. CRABBS 1,345,783

DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed April 9. 1927 2 sheets-sheet 1 TTORNEY Feb. 16, 1932. H, J, CRABBS 1,845,783

' DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed April 9. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l-l v Il! fm rm Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERBERT J'. CIRABBS, OF IRWIN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA DISCONNECTING SWITCH Application led April 9,

My invention relates to switch mechanisms and particularly to mechanisms of the type known as disconnecting switches.

It is an object of my invention to provide i an improved mechanism for operating a d1sconnecting switch.

In the construction of a disconnecting switch of the outdoor type to be used in connection with high-tension circuits, it has been the general practice heretofore to provide a base member, a pair of spaced insulators for supporting terminal members and a rotatively mounted insulator for carrying a mechanism for electrically connecting the two terminals.

I have found, in practice, that a rotatable insulator and switch parts may be damaged by the sudden jar received upon rotating the insulator to and from its open and closed positions. This is particularly true .in connection with the larger switches of this type.

Another object of my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch having a rotatable insulator for making or breaking an electrical circuit between spaced terminals and means for biasing the insulator toward substantially the mid-position between the two terminals.

Another object of my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch of the above type having a single means for absorbing the momentum of the movable insulator incident to its movement to either the right or the left of substantially a midway position between the terminal members.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a. disconnecting switch of the above type wherein a movable insulator is provided with means for absorbing the shock as the insulator approaches either its open or its closed position.

These and other objects that may be made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are attained through the switch mechanism hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of aswitch mechanism embodying my invention.

1927. Serial No. 182,206.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a switch mechanism embodying my invention, and

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, showing the mechanism in different positions.

In practicing my invention, I provide a base member having a pair of spaced insulators disposed thereon, contact jaws disposed on one of the insulators, a iiXed terminal disposed on the other insulator, `an insulator rotatably mounted on the base member substantially midway between the spaced insulators for operating a mechanism that is adapted to electrically connect the fixed terminal member with the contact jaws and means for biasing the rotatable insulator toward substantially a perpendicular position with respect to the base member.

My invention is best described' with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein I provide a base 1, a pair of spaced insulators 2 and 3, terminal members 4 and 5 disposed on the respective insulators 2 and 3, contact jaws 6 disposed on the terminal member 5, a mechanism 7 adapted to make or break an electrical connection between the terminal member 4 and the contact jaws 6 and a means 8 for biasing the mechanism 7 toward a predetermined position.

The mechanism 7 comprises an insulator 9 fixed to a rotatable shaft 10 which is, in turn, supported by the base l, a contact member 11 for engaging the contact jaws 6 which is carriedb the insulator 9 and is electrically connecte to the terminal 4 by a conductor 12.

Therefore, it will be evident from the drawings that, in order to make or break the electrical circuit between the terminals 4 and 5, it is only necessary to rotate the shaft 1() by any suitable means, such as rod 13, which, in turn, carries the insulator 9 and contact mem ber 11 to the right or to the left, as desired.

The biasing means 8, shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a bracket 14 suitably lixed upon the rotatable shaft 10 having an arm 15, a tube 16 pivotally connected to the arm 15 by means of the pivot 17 and a spring 18 disposed in the tube 16 and connected thereto by stud 19 at its upper end and having its lower end connected to the base 1 by a stud 20. The tube 16 is provided with a slot 21 for receiving the stud 20 and permitting a lost-motion connection between the tube 16 and the stud 20, thereby permitting a predetermined expansion or compression of the spring 18 and thereafter acting as a stop when the stud 2O comes into contact with the end faces thereof.

Referring to Fig. 3, the insulator 9 is .in its mid-position, as shown by the solid lines, which is substantially perpendicular to the base 1 and substantially midway between the spaced insulators 2 and 3.

When the contact member 11 is in engagement with the contact jaws 6, the insulator will be in substantially the position shown by `the broken lines and, in the latter position, the spring 18 is expanded to the extent permitted by the slot 21, the stud 20 cooperating with the right face of the slot 21 to prevent any further clockwise movement of the insulator 9.

Upon clockwise movement of the insulator 9 from its perpendicular position, as shown by the solid line in Figure 3, tension is placed on the spring 18 by means of the bracket 14, arm 15 and tube 16 cooperating with the studs 19 and 20 for absorbing the momentum of the insulator 9 as it moves toward the contact jaws 6, thereby protecting the insulator 9 from the usual slam, caused by its weight and the closing force that may be applied.

Eig. 2 shows a position of the insulator 9,

Vbracket 14, arm 15, tube 16 and spring 18 when the insulator 9 is in its full-open position. The same resistance or shock-absorbing effect is rendered by the spring 18 during the counter clockwise movement of the insulator 9 from its perpendicular position, as

referred to above.

The switch-operating means 13 is provided with a lock (not shown) to retain the insulator in either its open or its closed position against the tension of the spring 18.

Accordingly, I have provided a disconnecting switch having spaced terminals, a rotatable insulator for operating a mechanism for making or breaking an electrical connection between the two terminals and a single means for absorbing the momentum of the rotatable insulator as it is moving in either direction away from the mid-position of its movement ath. p While I have illustrated and described a disconnecting switch in which the weight of the movable insulator is transferred from one direction to another during the movement of the insulator from its open to its closed position, it will be apparent to those skilled in the I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric switch a contact clip; a contact blade cooperating with said clip; a base; an insulator pivoted on said base and adapted to operate said switch; a spring connected between a fixed point on said base and said insulator, said spring yacting substantially in line with said pivot when the center of gravity of said insulator is directly over said insulator pivot, thetension of said spring increasing when said insulator is moved in either direction from aforesaid position, making a balancing moment of the spring varying with the moment of insulator weight. y p l 2. An electric switch includinga pair of cooperating contact members one of which is movable relative to the other, a pivotallymounted supporting member for said movable contact, and a tension spring connected at one end to said supporting member and at its other end to a stationary member, the line of action of the spring being to one side of the pivot when the movable contact is in closed circuit position, in alignment with said t pivot when the movable contact is in an intermediate position, and to the opposite side of the pivot when the movable contact is in open circuit position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this second day of April,

i HERBERT J. CRABBS.

art that a disconnecting switch may be de- ,i

tion of its weight without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

